Population biology and larval development of the terebellid polychaete Nicolea zostericola

A 3-year study was conducted on a population of Nicolea zostericola (Oersted: Grube, 1860) at Nahant, Massachusetts (USA), which indicated that this species has a life span of about 1 year. Spawing occurred from mid-April to early July, after a rise in sea-water temperature to about 6°C. Pair formation occurred between sexually mature adults prior to and during spawning. Eggs were deposited in cocoons, where development occurred in 14 to 22 days. Larval develomment is described along with juvenile and adult substrate preferences and behavior. The entire intertidal population disappears following the spawning season in late June, and reappears in September as a result of migration of worms from the sub-littoral zone. Oogenesis consists of 3 phases: a short gonadal and follicular phase, followed by a longer vitellogenic phase during which oocytes are free-floating in the coelomic fluid.Contribution no. 31 from the Marine Science Institute, Northeastern University, Nahant, Massachusetts, USA.